Dometic Fridge not cooling and making noise

[rphabarb]

We recently purchased a 2011 keystone springdale. The refrigerator worked the first time we used the camper but after that I started hearing a loud noise coming from what sounded like outside the camper and the fridge/freezer completely stopped cooling. I turned it off and haven't been able to figure out whats wrong with it. Any ideas on what I should check??

[chuckster57]

Welcome to the forum!

What model of refer? The noise your hearing is probably a fan or two that move air over the cooling unit fins.

There is a specific troubleshooting guide, you might be able to get it online from Dometic. Have you removed the lower access cover outside? If you see any yellow staining, the cooling unit is kaput, and STAY AWAY from the powder.

[rphabarb]

I have not removed the back cover. I will get to camp in next day or two and do that and get the model number from the refer. thank you so much for your response I will reply as soon as I get this info.

[flybouy]

Was the fridge running on LP or electric? What kind of noise, an explosive type of pop or a grinding, or?

[rphabarb]

It was running on electric. The noise actually woke me out of a sleep it was a very loud humming type of sound so i turned off the fridge and it stopped. next day i tried running on gas still didnt cool.

[Customer1]

While you are looking at it, make sure you have dc power and ac power at the back of the refrigerator.

[JRTJH]

OK, Here's some guesses (nothing I can point a finger at and say, "This is what happened").

The humming was probably a bearing that went out on one of the 12 volt cooling fans, or some dirt on the blades that causes it to be unbalanced and start vibrating (humming).

When you turned it off, or possibly even before that, you blew one of the fuses on the control board in the back of the refrigerator. They are "glass cartridge fuses" one is 5 amps and one is 3 amps.

When you turned it from electric to gas, as soon as the control board called for "gas ignition" it went into "fail mode" and shut down, causing all cooling to stop. There was no "humming" because the 12 volt system "fuse" on the control board is blown.

I'd suggest opening the sidewall lower vent grill, you'll see a black plastic cover about 4"x6" on the lower left part of the refrigerator (as you're standing there, looking into the removed grill area.

UNPLUG THE REFRIGERATOR 120VAC PLUG, then remove that cover and check those two fuses.

My guess: One of them is blown. Replace it and the refrigerator should start. As soon as it does, you'll probably hear that "humming fan" and you'll need to locate it, unplug it and decide whether it needs cleaning or replacement.

Hopefully, this will get you going again.

[Roscommon48]

here is a great resource. https://www.rvcool.com/

[chuckster57]

John: I believe the 12V fuse is a blade fuse, and the 110VAC is the glass style.

[JRTJH]

John: I believe the 12V fuse is a blade fuse, and the 110VAC is the glass style.

Chuck, you may be right on the newer Dometic boards. In 2011 (the OP's refrigerator if it is the OEM reefer) both fuses were glass cartridge type. the top photo is like what is in my 2014 Dometic (built in 2013) I do believe that Dinosaur boards do have one glass fuse and one blade type fuse.

[rphabarb]

Tried to post these yesterday from my phone but didn't do it right..here is the fridge info and a video of the noise well actually it wont let me attach the video. Not sure how to get it on here so you all can hear it